More information is available on a West Sacramento domestic violence incident that led to a state-wide “Amber Alert” last night. Police were concerned about the safety of three young children after their father took them away.

The alert – along with names and photos of the suspect and the kids – was distributed widely on media websites and on the airwaves yesterday. The incident ended peacefully last night, with the man in jail and the children reunited with their mother.

Lieutenant Tod Sockman of the West Sacramento Police Department said the trouble began with a domestic violence incident at the home of Dmitriy V. Gerasimov and his family on the 600-block of Cummins Way.

Dmitriy Gerasimov

“The husband and wife got into a fight on Saturday, and she sustained moderate injuries,” said Sockman. “Then he threw their 1 ½ year old boy across the room, and (the toddler) sustained moderate injuries. Then (Dmitriy Gerasimov) drove to their grandmother and grandfather’s house in Citrus Heights, and he took the other three children. There are no special custody rights – he had parental rights at that point. He picks up the three kids and leaves.”

The children included boys age seven and two, as well as a four-year old girl.

Police talked to the family and a felony warrant was issued for Gerasimov, age 30, on domestic violence charges. They also obtained an emergency protective order.

Investigators tried to reach him.

“He wouldn’t return our calls and wouldn’t come forward,” said Sockman. “He was apparently driving around, and had been in contact with relatives, but hadn’t gone to their houses. Then, (Monday), he called his wife and said, ‘listen, if you don’t take me back, I have access to a plane, and I will put the children on a plane and you’ll never see them again.’ That hit the threshold of ‘parental abduction.’”

Police then tracked Gerasimov’s cell phone – and it showed him as being in El Dorado County. Investigators were concerned that the man could become violent against the kids.

“The sheriff’s department in El Dorado put every available man on it. They made contact with him at the In & Out burger place on Forni Road, and took him into custody without incident, at around 9:50 p.m. (Monday).”